About us

Nutriton Officer (Temporary Appointment)

Location: Bhopal 
Duration  364 Days
Closing Date: 3rd May 2011

Purpose of the post:

The Nutrition Officer contributes to the overall effort of Country Programme implementation at state level within the framework of micronutrients programmes under Child Nutrition and Development programme and works closely with Departments of Health, Women and Child Development and Education at division and district level.

Takes responsibility for extending technical assistance in planning, implementing and monitoring of high impact interventions at division and district level, supporting system strengthening, monitoring and reporting of micronutrient nutrition and anemia control through Departments of Women and Child Development, Health and Family Welfare and Education.

The job holder works at the state, division and district level under the daily supervision of Nutrition Specialist.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:-

Influencing Policy

Contributes to programme policy analysis and recommendations for shifts in management, resource allocation and coordination of service delivery related to young child nutrition and micronutrient nutrition. Establishes and maintains regular contacts with government division and district level officials, project/programme implementing departments/partners at division and district levels, through joint visits, consultations, and travels.

Building Partnerships

Collaborates with the division/district government, NGOs and other partners to identify interventions and activities necessary for improved planning, implementation and monitoring of childhood nutrition and micronutrient nutrition activities in the state.  Provides technical assistance and evidence-based support to the implementing partners at division and district level.

Contributes and supports the development and/or introduction of new approaches, methods and practices in project management and evaluation at division and district level.

Programme Implementation

Supports the establishment/adaptation/refinement of measures for system strengthening and quality improvement to ensure continuity, effectiveness and sustainability of childhood nutrition, micronutrients nutrition and anemia control interventions.

In the focus districts, supports monitoring and implementation of the main thrusts of nutrition sector programme with special focus on addressing micronutrient malnutrition, (Bi-annual Vitamin A supplementation, anemia programme for adolescent girls and children, and promotion of adequately iodized salt); community based model of nutrition care to address child malnutrition and ICDS/NRHM systems quality improvement.

Reviews and compiles progress reports and input-output statistics and data analysis at State level with specific reference to childhood nutrition and micronutrient nutrition interventions.

Facilitates the integration of input/advice from the Child Development and Nutrition Section (Technical Centre for Excellence) in Delhi.

Monitoring and Evaluation

Contributes to the review of systems and supports capacity building related to delivery of services for government programmes related to child nutrition and development.

In co-ordination with programme partners such as Micronutrient Initiative and MP Technical Assistant Support Team (TAST) undertakes routine monitoring and coverage assessment and facilitates reviews and supports establishing surveillance systems for monitoring key nutrition indicators at Division and District level. Undertakes regular field visits to monitor programmes (including cash and supply assistance), as well as conducting periodic programme reviews with government counterparts, other partners and UNICEF supported field technical staff. Contribute to the identification and recommendation of necessary actions for adjustments in the Child Nutrition and Development programme.

Capacity building and technical assistance for Government 

Assists government authorities, in partnership with training institutions, to plan and organize capacity building programmes in Vitamin A supplementation, anemia control programme and Universal Salt iodization initiatives. Identifies training needs for the purpose of capacity building and sustainability of programme/projects. Selects and compiles training and orientation materials for those involved in Child Development and Nutrition programme implementation.

Provides technical expertise as required, facilitates learning exchanges as well as policy influencing.

Supports research and documentation on selected nutrition projects and tracking on social inclusion in Child Development and Nutrition interventions.

Inter-sectoral collaboration

Assists in development of appropriate communication and information materials to support and/or advocate development of childhood nutrition and micronutrient nutrition projects to enable more effective change in key care behaviors related to nutrition, health, hygiene and sanitation.

Supports strengthening of inter-sectoral collaboration within the state and/or sector with programme colleagues to share knowledge and programming experiences.

Supplies and Cash Assistance

Coordinates with the Operations/Supply staff/programme support on supply and non-supply assistance activities ensuring proper and timely UNICEF and Government accountability. Certifies disbursements of funds, as per UNICEF rules and procedures monitors and submits financial status reports to Nutrition Officer as required.

Report Writing

Drafts programme/project inputs for donor reports, status reports required for state level management, programme analysis, annual reports, case studies, etc.

Minimum Qualifications, Experience and competencies required:

• University degree in Nutrition/public Health or modern systems of medicine.  In-depth knowledge of nutrition and development sectors required.
• One year professional work experience preferably in child development and nutrition at state level, project administration, monitoring and evaluation.
• Fluency in English. Knowledge of local working language of the duty station an asset, especially fluency in Hindi

Other skills and attributes

• Current knowledge of development issues, strategies, as well as programming policies and procedures in development cooperation. 
• Drive for Results.
• A strong familiarity as to how public administration systems affect delivery of results for children
• Understanding of social mobilization and behaviour change communication
• Understanding of the importance and role of partnerships.
• Proven ability to conceptualize, innovate, plan and execute ideas, as well as to impart knowledge and teach skills.
• Analytical, negotiating, communication and advocacy skills.
• Report writing
• Training ability.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a multicultural environment, and establish harmonious and effective working relationships, both within and outside the organization

For more details of the post, visit the UNICEF India website at www.unicef.in and click on the “careers     at UNICEF” at the bottom of the page.  This vacancy is for Indian nationals only.

Applications consisting of a covering letter; an up-to-date CV and a completed Personal History form (Download Here) should be sent to devpro@pmsind.orgwithin two weeks of publication of this advertisement. 

In order to ensure that your application is sorted correctly, please clearly mention the Job Code of the post and location in the subject line of your e-mail/application. Only applications of short listed candidates will be acknowledged.

UNICEF is a non-smoking working environment. Applications from qualified women are encouraged.